CP-e Xcel Nano Install Problems - got tips?

[Hank3]

Installed this fine piece last night and it sounds and feels wonderful. My only issue is with the vacuum hose going to the MAF housing. I read a couple of other install threads and they say this step in the installation was the trickiest because of how stiff the vacuum hose is. As it stands, the right side of my I/C cover is jacked way up because of the vacuum hose. I tried rotating/adjusting a bit but to no avail. Anything else I could try? Also, the vacuum hose elbow that connects to the MAF housing doesn't click on. Is that supposed to be the case? It seems like it just slips on and off easily.

Pics in Post #4

[714ms3]

it feels like it will come off, but with the IC cover back on it won't go anywhere.

[Hank3]

OK - so it's supposed slip off somewhat easily then. I guess I'll try to re-tweak all of the fitting tonight to make it fit better. Oh another thing...for the round rubber, is the orientation of the hardware supposed to be: lock nut, washer, MAF pipe bracket, rubber, three-hole bracket, washer, lock nut?

[Hank3]

Here are some pics after messing around with it a little more tonight. I got the vacuum hose/elbow piece down more, but I don't like that the silicon coupler isn't flush with the MAF pipe. There seems to be a good amount of tension on the Vibramount rubber piece (hence me not tightening the lock nut any further). I'd rather the rubber piece be more vertical than bent out of shape:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/IMG_0001-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/IMG_0006-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/IMG_0002-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/IMG_0003-4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/Hank3/IMG_0004-7.jpg

[funksilver07]

Take off the elbow (blue clip will release it) and it should fit like this...notice my vacuum hose is sitting opposite than the way yours is. That will give you clearance and a snug/tight fit. The pics aren't the best but you can get the picture of how it will fit.

First pic is the elbow piece removed>>>
See the difference in how mine was sitting>>>

[Hank3]

funksilver - gotcha! Thanks a bunch. I'll get right to fixing it when I get home. Very glad it's a simple solution. It should fit a lot better now with that extra clearance. Don't know what I was thinking putting that stock piece on when the instructions didn't call for it. Anyways, here's what I just posted on the other forum:

N/M - I got it figured out I think. Been emailing Jordan from CP-e and he took a look at the pics I took and said that I need to take off the extra plastic piece that goes onto the nipple. What I did was I took the blue snap piece off the stock intake pipe and mated it to the vacuum elbow piece - have no idea why I did that. I guess figured it needed to be on there. The vacuum piece goes directly on the nipple with the blue clip. Makes a lot more sense to me and I'll fix it when I go home. I'll tweak it some more and all should fit better and lower. Here are some pics from skubiedoobie Xcel Nano install thread (http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123729366&highlight=xcel+nano+skubiedoobie) that shows better what I'm talking about:

Elbow piece with blue clip off the stock intake pipe that's making mine fit funny and sit higher:

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff307/skubidoobie/Mazdaspeed3/Mazdaspeed3021.jpg

Here's how it should fit - vacuum elbow piece with blue clip directly onto the nipple without the stock plastic elbow:

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff307/skubidoobie/Mazdaspeed3/Mazdaspeed3042.jpg

[funksilver07]

You got it...

[Hank3]

Hopefully nothing has been bent too long to accomodate my ignorance.

[Kain]

I doubt you permanently did any damage. From the CP-e Nano I had for all of 10 minutes, I took note of how beefy the pieces are. If anything would bend from a botched install, it would be either the rubber mount or the silicone coupler.

[Hank3]

The rubber mount is what I'm most concerned about - in a relative sense that is.

[Kain]

If the stud in the rubber mount is shot, you can get a replacement for $7 from AEM.

[Hank3]

Did CP-e have AEM supply them with it?

[Kain]

Can't say for sure, but that piece looks exactly like the one on the AEM CAI I had on my previous car.

[Hank3]

Got to re-tweaking things again last night and all is good now. The vacuum hose is lower allowing the coupler and Vibramount - which is still in good shape - to be less stressed. Now to mashing the pedal!!!

[funksilver07]

Nice....

[Saskatchewan17]

Fuck. My rubber mount shredded, and this is after I fixed the damn elbow PVC hose problem.

[Hank3]

Whoa...and this was a new unit right? That little added piece really does put unecessary torque on the Vibramount and bracket. I really was worried when I was putting force on it to adjust. You could buy a new piece like Kain mentioned. They should be around $10 shipped. Any pics? Just curious.

[Saskatchewan17]

Whoa...and this was a new unit right? That little added piece really does put unecessary torque on the Vibramount and bracket. I really was worried when I was putting force on it to adjust. You could buy a new piece like Kain mentioned. They should be around $10 shipped. Any pics? Just curious.

I'll post up pics later... but to be honest... I don't think it's goin anywhere. I've been driving it like that today and the intake isn't moving at all, even when I try to wiggle it around.

[Hank3]

That's good to know. It really is a nice piece, IMO. I shined up the MAF pipe with some metal polish and it looks bling!